UN climate change report must not be ignored by EU Commission and Member States

On the occasion of the publication of a report by the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) today (1) , which suggests that the global consequences of climate change are probably worse than previously estimated, Finnish Green and vice-chair of the EP Environment Committee Satu Hassi said:
"Those who continue to claim that climate change is not man made have now been deserted by science. The IPCC report provides authoritative proof of the seriousness of climate change and its man-made origin. What was considered as the upper limit of acceptable warming is now at the lower end of the scale of scientific expectations. We must also not forget that, without meaningful action, temperatures will continue to increase beyond 2100.

"The fight against climate change must be elevated to a higher political level and made a priority for global decision-makers. Climate protection is not just about the beauty of environment, it is about the survival of societies. A world summit to unlock the deadlock in UN climate negotiations, as suggested by UNEP, has to be convened as soon as possible.

"The EU should be giving leadership in its actions to combat climate change, yet we continue to sit on the fence. The hyperbole is stripped bare when it comes to taking action. It is disturbing that, at the same time as the IPCC is coming out with disturbing scientific projections of the consequences of climate change, elements within the Commission and EU Member States are battling to weaken a legislative proposal aimed at tackling emissions from cars. The European Council must not sign up to the weak Commission proposals on climate change. In addition to robust legislation on emissions, EU Member States should commit to a 30% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 (from 1990 levels)."

Editors Notes

(1) The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has been established to assess scientific, technical and socio- economic information relevant for the understanding of climate change, its potential impacts and options for adaptation and mitigation. Today's report is the fourth by the IPCC.